Persons eligible to get Sri Lankan Resident Visa under this programme-
The Resident Guest Visa Programme is a part of a package of incentives for prospective foreign investors and professionals who would contribute to the economic and socio-cultural development of the country.
The Implementing Agency for this programme-
The Implementing Agency of the RGS consists of Senior Officials of the Relevant Government Agencies.
Location
The Office of the Implementing Agency,Department of Immigration Emigration, “Suhurupaya”, Battaramulla, Sri Lanka.
To apply for Sri Lankan visa under this programme-
The Resident Guest Scheme is open to all foreign nationals. Any foreign investor / professional who could contribute to the economic and socio cultural enrichment of the country can apply.
To obtain a Residence visa application form-
Application forms of RGS are available at-
- The Office of the Implementing Agency Department of Immigration Emigration
- Download printable versions of the Application Forms from the link below
Documents need to submit with the Residence visa application
Investor Category
- Application
- Photocopies of the Passport
- Six (06) photographs (6cm x 5cm)
- Photocopy of Marriage Certificate (if married)
- Documentary evidence of Educational Qualification and Experience (if any)
- Medical Report
- Police Clearance Report
- Details of the project in which the investment is to be made
- RGFCA Bank Account (Resident Guest Foreign Currency Account) in Sri Lanka (Confirmed)
- Applicant – US$ 250,000/= (Minimum)
- Dependent – US$ 35,000/= (Minimum)
- RGRCA Bank Account (Resident Guest Rupee Currency Account)
Professional Category
- Application
- Request letter of the Applicant
- Photocopies of the Passport
- Six (06) photographs (6cm x 5cm)
- Photocopy of Marriage Certificate (if married)
- Proof of educational professional and work experience locally and internationally
- Project Proposal
- Medical Report
- Police Clearance Report
- Commendations
- Awards
- Bank Account in Sri Lanka (Confirm documentary evidence)
- Applicant – US$ 2,000/=
- Dependent – US$ 1,000/=
To bring the family with applicant under this programme-
If the applicant is qualified investor or professional he/she can bring in his/her spouse, dependent children and parents or parents of spouse.
Remittance limits under this programme
Investor Category
A potential foreign investor under this Scheme should remit a minimum of US $ 250,000 or an equivalent amount in any convertible foreign currency and deposit the funds in a special account in any commercial bank approved by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka. If an investor intends to commence any investment project jointly with another foreign partner or partners, each such person should invest a minimum of US $ 250,000 or an equivalent amount in any convertible foreign currency. A further sum of US $ 35,000 should be deposited for each dependent accompanying the investor. Interest will be paid on any unutilized balance held in deposit at such rates as are determined by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka from time to time. Documentary evidence to confirm the remittances to Sri Lanka should be furnished.
In addition to the initial deposits, an investor should remit regularly sufficient funds for the upkeep of himself and his dependents.
Professional Category
A professional intending to reside in Sri Lanka under the scheme is required to remit, to a Special Bank Account in Sri Lanka for living expenses, a minimum of US$ 2,000/- per month for himself and US$ 1000/- per month for each of his dependents, including spouse.
Investment
Funds remitted to Sri Lanka by any foreign investor should be invested in an approved project. If no satisfactory progress is made by the applicant in making investment in the country within the first two years of his residence in Sri Lanka, the Implementing Agency may cease to make any further payments of interest on the credit balance in the Special Account of the investor.
Approved projects for the purpose of this Scheme are
- New ventures subject to approval by the Board of Investment (BOI) Sri Lanka-http://investsrilanka.com/) or a relevant Authority.
- Existing or new companies subject to approval by the relevant authority.
- Shares listed in the Colombo Stock Exchange (https://www.cse.lk/home/market).
- The Board of Investment will provide all assistance needed by the foreign investors to identify and make such investments.
- Special Accounts
Foreign investors under this Scheme are permitted to open two separate special accounts in any commercial bank in Sri Lanka as described below
- Resident Guest Foreign Currency Account
- The remittances made to Sri Lanka for the purpose of making investments in any approved project in Sri Lanka should be credited to this account.
- The Bank will pay interest during the initial period of two years on the unutilized balance in the Account at a rate which will not exceed the rate applicable to Non Resident Foreign Currency Accounts. Payments of interest after the expiry of the two-year period will be subject to the approval of the Implementing Agency.
- Withdrawal from the Account for any purpose other than investment, should be approved by the Implementing Agency.
- Interest paid on the balance in this Account may be transferred to the Resident Guest Rupee Current Account.
- Resident Guest Rupee Currency Account
- Remittances made for living expenses in Sri Lanka, income derived from investments, sale proceeds of shares, etc. will be permitted to be credited to this account.
- Outward remittances from the account will be subject to prior Exchange Control approval.
- Repatriation of income capital
The following outward remittances are allowed under the prevailing Exchange Control and Tax regulations.
- Any unutilized balance in the special account of the investor.
- Capital gains and income from investment.
- Sale proceeds of investments.
What are the fees applicable to my Resident Guest Scheme visa?
In addition to the resident visa fees and taxes a sum of US $ 250 or an equivalent amount in any convertible currency should be paid to the Implementing Agency.
Please click the following link for information about visa fees
Conditions for Resident Guests
Resident Guests are required to;
- Notify the Implementing Agency in writing of any material changes in particulars furnished in the application within two (2) months of such change.
- Comply with Immigration and Emigration formalities of the Sri Lanka Government.
- Comply with tax laws in Sri Lanka.
- Comply with all the other laws and regulations of Sri Lanka Government.
- Refrain from any political or other activity which is not in public interest or which might be prejudicial to the security of the country.
- Produce a Police clearance certificate from his country.
- In case of Termination of Investment Project / Professional Service by the Resident Guest
Resident guests are required to - Give the Implementing Agency two (2) months’ notice in writing of their intention to terminate their investment project / professional service.
- Notify in writing of their intention to leave Sri Lanka at least Fourteen (14) working days prior to their departure upon termination of their investment project / professional service.
Eligibility requirements for a Resident Guest Scheme Visa-
The Resident Guest Scheme is open for all foreign nationals. Any foreign investor or professional who could contribute to the economic and socio-cultural enrichment of the country can apply for visas under this scheme.
To obtain a Resident Guest Scheme Visa application form-
- Head office of the Department of Immigration & Emigration, Colombo
- Download printable versions of the Application Forms from the link below,
To submit the Resident Guest Scheme visa application-
Submit your application to the department of Department of Immigration and Emigration, Sri Lanka.
Maximum validity period of the Resident Guest Scheme visa-
Your RGS Visa will be valid for five (05) years.
To renew the Resident Guest Scheme visa-
- Applications for the extension of all visas should be made to the Department of Immigration and Emigration. Proof of satisfactory performance of the project investments, bank statements etc. will be called for when extensions of visa is requested after completion of five years.
- Documentary evidence for tax clearance from the Department of Inland Revenue (http://www.ird.gov.lk/SitePages/Default.aspx) and the recommendation from the Board of Investment in the case of tax exempted project should be furnished along with the renewal application.
To get an Application for Resident Guest Scheme visa renewal-
- Head office of the Department of Immigration & Emigration, Colombo.
- Download printable versions of the Application Forms from the link below,
Other conditions applicable to renewal Resident Guest Scheme visa-
Intended date of stay in Sri Lanka should end at least two months before the expiry date of the applicants travel document.